TRANSCRIPT
It was only a matter of seconds when Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after a massive cargo ship lost power while sailing out of the harbour.
The event sent vehicles and people into the river below and closed one of the busiest ports on the US Eastern Seaboard.
Baltimore fire chief, James Wallace explains:
"At about 0150 hours our first unit arrived on scene and reported a complete collapse of the Key Bridge. We were also given information at that time that there were likely multiple people on the bridge at the time of the collapse, and that as a result, multiple people were in the water."
It was a Singapore-flagged ship named the Dali, which was on route to Sri Lanka, that knocked down the bridge.
Authorities say at least six people are still missing hours after the incident, who are reportedly construction workers.
Rescuers pulled two survivors to safety, including one who was hospitalised.
There have been searches for more people in the Patapsco River after metal spans of the bridge crumpled into the icy water.
Baltimore's mayor Brandon Scott says the event is devastating.
"Well, this is a tragedy as you can never imagine, right. I was awake when Chief Wallace called me. But never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that. It looked like something out of an action movie."
Engineers say the bridge collapse was caused by the design.
The metal truss-style bridge had a suspended deck which contributed to its total collapse.
The ship appeared to hit a main concrete pier, which rests on soil underwater and is part of the foundation.
Maryland governor Wes Moore says investigations are ongoing, but has ruled out the incident as being a terrorist attack.
"The preliminary investigation points to an accident. We haven't seen any credible evidence of a terrorist attack. Our administration is working closely with leaders from all levels of government and society to respond to this crisis, and not just by addressing the immediate aftermath, but also by building a state that is more resilient and a state that's more safe."
The National Transportation Safety Board is part of the investigation.
Chair Jennifer Homendy says the priority is on search and rescue efforts.
"Right now it's about people. It's about families and addressing the needs of those that were impacted, that's the focus. I don't think anybody in that room right now at the command post is thinking about what are the next steps to get things cleaned up. They're working to figure out who was impacted? If anyone was impacted and how do we address that? Because that is and should be the priority always."
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has pledged that the federal government will pay the full cost of rebuilding the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
"To the people of Baltimore, we want to say, 'We're with you. We're going to stay with you as long as it takes. And like the governor said, 'You're Maryland tough, you're Baltimore strong', and we're going to get through this together. And I promise we're not leaving. It's my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge, and I expect the Congress to support my effort."
The US' Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding the bridge won't be easy.
But he hopes Baltimore will become stronger than ever before after recovering a special bridge for the country.
"This is no ordinary bridge. This is one of the cathedrals of American infrastructure. It has been part of the skyline of this region for longer than many of us have been alive. So the path to normalcy will not be easy. It will not be quick. It will not be inexpensive. But we will rebuild together."
Maryland's state police say search and rescue efforts have been suspended.
